Adductor Hallucis Muscle Origin, Insertion, Actions

Image of skeletal human foot showing the adductor hallucis muscle origin and insertion.

Table of Contents

Adductor Hallucis Origin, Insertion, Action
Primary Actions of the Adductor Hallucis
Secondary Actions of the Adductor Hallucis

Origin:
Oblique head: The base of metatarsal bones 2, 3, 4, lateral cuneiform bone, cuboid bone, tendon of peroneus longus
Transverse head: Plantar metatarsal ligaments and deep transverse ligaments of toes 2, 3, 4.

Insertion: Lateral base of proximal phalanx of great toe

Actions: Adduction and flexion of the great toe

Innervation: Lateral plantar nerve (S2, S3)

Blood Supply: Lateral plantar artery

If you are looking for pain and symptoms information, please visit the Adductor hallucis pain page

Primary Actions of the Adductor Hallucis Muscle

1. Adduction of the great toe at the metatarsophalangeal joint

Agonists: None

Antagonists: Abductor Hallucis

2. Supports the medial longitudinal arch of the foot

Secondary Actions of the Adductor Hallucis

1. Assists with flexion of the great toe at the metatarsophalangeal joint

Agonists:

- Flexor Hallucis Brevis
- Flexor Hallucis Longus

Antagonists:

- Extensor Hallucis Longus
- Extensor Hallucis Brevis

The oblique head of adductor hallucis assists with flexion of the great toe at the MTP joint.

2. Supports the medial and longitudinal arch of the foot

References:

Clay, J. H., Allen, L., Pounds, D. (2015). Clay & Pounds' Basic Clinical Massage Therapy: Integrating Anatomy and Treatment (3rd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Netter, F. (2014). Atlas of Human Anatomy (6th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Saunders.

Muscolino, J., (2016) Kinesiology: The Skeletal System and Muscle Function (3rd ed.). Maryland Heights, Missouri: Mosby.

Image Credits: Dreamstime

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